Diagnosis

Treatment

When first identified it did not appear to be bothering him at all. The vet instructed to continue to observe and return if there appeared to be any change.

The growth was checked again a month or so later as it had grown substantially.
The cyst was now about 1cm in size, flattened disc shape. A biopsy was done at this time, and showed the
same oil content. No additional signs of infection or growth involved. Again it did not appear to be bothering him so observation continued.

In late November, Schnapps started to bother the lump. The surface
was red with a small amount of bleeding. The cyst was now a hard lump, 1.5cm
in width and a flattened disc shape. On vet examination, a small
amount of brown pus was squeezed out. When viewed under a microscope
it showed lots of bacteria.

The cyst was lanced and the lump popped out easily and freely,
leaving a clean open wound. There was no further bleeding or pus. The wound was flushed
with saline and closed with two staples.
He was given Baytril (an antibiotic) for 5 days, and Metacam (an NSAID to reduce inflammation) for 3 days.

Outcome

Healed without complication.

Photo 1: Shows shape of sebaceous cyst and size in centimeters.

Photo 2: Shows closure of wound site.

Case history and photos courtesy of Robyn Arthur, of The Dapper Rat, http://www.dapper.com.au in
collaboration with Dr Larissa Ladyko B.V.Sc.

Posted on December 28, 2003, 17:27,
Last updated on April 8, 2010, 16:31
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